Independent Banker - May 2023 - 34

Q&A
Less than
$300 million
BY BRIDGET MCCREA
" Our team
members are the
driving force
behind our own
bank's efficiencies
and our customers'
success. "
-RYAN JAMES,
SURETY BANK
RYAN JAMES | President and CEO | Surety Bank
Q: What makes
Surety Bank so
successful?
A: A high level
of quality and
efficiency and
being very
intentional and
focused on those operational
goals. This started years ago,
and it's been carried forward
through our core philosophy of
" If it doesn't make sense, then
don't do it. " We've been able
to create a lot of value for our
core customers by focusing
on this philosophy versus just
centering on growth.
Q: What role do your team
members play in the bank's
nearly 100-year history in
the community?
A: They're everything. We
support them by listening
to them, giving them the
VISIONBank gets it done
#23
VISIONBank
Fargo, N.D.
Assets: $140 million
3-year average
pre-tax ROA: 2.52
visionbanks.com
tools they need to succeed
and helping them operate
as efficiently and effectively
as possible. As a result,
our team members are the
driving force behind our own
bank's efficiencies and our
customers' success.
Q: How does your
community bank broaden
its market and serve new
customer segments?
A: We've been around since
1926, so
we have a
substantial
local,
grassroots
presence
here. Still, our
focus is on
compliance,
and we've
really leaned
into that.
#9
Surety Bank
DeLand, Fla.
Assets: $200 million
3-year average
pre-tax ROA: 2.88
mysuretybank.com
VISIONBank was founded in
2003 by a team of experienced
bankers who were committed to
providing exceptional service.
The community bank's founders
also wanted to build an
organization that would never
lose that " small town " bank
connection with its clients.
VISIONBank stands out in
many ways, but some of the
more visible differentiations
include the fireplaces, grand
piano and stocked refrigerators
that customers can enjoy when
they visit any of its three fullservice
locations. The bank even
has a couple of friendly black
Labradors-Scout and Piper-
that come to work every day.
Founded on the fundamental
principle of " getting it done, "
VISIONBank takes pride in
its commitment to its clients,
employees and community. " We
were the first bank chartered
in over 30 years in the state
of North Dakota, and we are
proud and thankful that we
have been well received by the
clients and communities we
serve, " Dan Carey, president
and CEO, said in a statement.
" We are excited about the
continued growth of our
communities, and we will
remain responsive to the
changing needs of our clients. "
Ranked as one of North
Dakota's top-producing SBA
lending partners every year
since 2010, VISIONBank has
a seasoned lending team that's
repeatedly earned the SBA's
District Director's Award. The
community bank also runs
a Scout's Kids Club program
for kids 18 and younger,
who get an approved savings
account and access to learning
activities, volunteer work
opportunities and a chance
to earn prizes throughout
the year.
34 // ICBA Independent Banker // May 2023
http://www.mysuretybank.com http://www.visionbanks.com
Independent Banker - May 2023

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